Profile of the Day: Sir Francis Drake

On June 17, 1579, during his attempt to circumnavigate the globe, English privateer Sir Francis Drake landed of the coast on what is today California and claimed it for England. Named “Nova Albion” by Drake, the land was one of the earliest English territorial claims in the New World. In 1581, he was awarded a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth I.

The precise location of Nova Albion was carefully guarded to keep it a secret from the Spaniards. Drake and his crew were sworn to silence and his maps altered. Only years later, after the destruction of the Spanish Armada (in which Drake played a significant role) did Queen Elizabeth allow an official account of Drake’s voyage to be published.

Sir Francis Drake is connected to over 77 million people in Geni’s World Family Tree. Explore his family tree to discover how you’re related!